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Asbestos

Many homes built before 1980 contain asbestos in old floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles and flashing, siding, insulation (around boilers, ducts, pipes, sheeting, fireplaces), pipe cement, and joint compound used on seams between pieces of sheetrock.

AsbestosThis material becomes a hazard when it is airborne. This material can damage your home when its fibers released. For example, when asbestos insulation around boilers, furnaces, and pipes deteriorates, it releases dust. Blown ceilings containing asbestos may release fibers when they are drilled or patched. If the ceilings are in poor condition, air movement from ceiling fans and opening and closing draperies may spread asbestos dust.

A visual inspection of your home is usually not sufficient to determine if it contains asbestos. Instead, samples of suspected asbestos fibers should be sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.

Clearview Home & Property inspections are qualified to extract samples to facilitate this stage of the process.

What If I Find Asbestos in My House?

The method used for dealing with asbestos in the home depends upon where the asbestos is found, the condition of the material, and whether it is friable or non–friable. Friable asbestos can be easily crumbled or reduced to a powder and can become airborne. Non–friable asbestos is more tightly bound with another material and its fibers cannot easily be made airborne unless they are sanded, cut, or sawed.

If the containing material is currently in good condition and contained such that fibers cannot be released, then it may not be dangerous at this time. However, the situation should be monitored for signs of its deterioration and damage.

In some cases, the containing materials may be repaired or isolated rather than removed. For example, small tears in pipe insulation may be repaired. The material that is in good condition may be isolated from potential damage by using a sturdy, airtight barrier. This can be a temporary solution to some asbestos problems. Encapsulants have been used over sprayed–on asbestos–containing material on walls and ceilings. Encapsulants are materials applied in liquid form to provide a seal against the release of its fibers. They can work well for asbestos–containing material that has not been damaged, but do more harm than good if the material is deteriorating.

Removal is the only permanent solution to the problem in your home. However, removal poses a high risk of fiber release if not done properly. Air samples should be taken after the work is completed to ensure the safety of the homeowner.

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